Buangor primary and Ballarat high schools are both listed as "key outbreaks", with 10 or more active infections, by the Victorian health department.

The Courier is aware of a string of other schools directly affected by positive cases ahead of the summer school holidays.

There were 63 active COVID-19 cases recorded in Ballarat on Monday. There were a further nine new cases to emerge on Monday, according to the latest health department figures.

This follows daily increases of 10 on both Saturday and Sunday and nine on Thursday after not topping more than three new daily cases throughout November, suggesting COVID-19 still had a strong presence in the community.

Victoria's education department confirmed Buangor primary, near Beaufort, had 22 students test positive for COVID-19 as of Monday.

The school reopened on Monday after deep cleaning at the weekend. The school had been closed last Wednesday to Friday and the education department confirmed all primary close contacts had been notified.

Pupils exposed to the virus but who tested negative are able to return to classes onsite on Wednesday. This follows seven days' isolation under direction from the health department.

Ballarat High School had 10 confirmed cases linked to the school. This can include, but has not been confirmed, staff and students.

A UFS spokesperson confirmed there had been strong demand for COVID-19 testing among school-aged children and families due to school exposures in the city.

UFS runs the testing clinic in Doveton Street and the adjoining Commonwealth-funded vaccination clinic on Dana Street.

COVID-19 vaccinations for children aged five to 11 years old are set to roll out from January 10. UFS is yet to receive further updates and details on the roll-out.

IN OTHER NEWS

Meanwhile, booster shots are underway for anyone from the general public, aged 18-plus, in the region who was fully vaccinated at least five months ago, in July.

UFS' COVID-19 vaccination clinic is no longer able to accept walk-ins for boosters after increased demand. Booster vaccines are Pfizer or Moderna, regardless or what original vaccine was received.

There are limited booster appointments available via UFS and other community pharmacies.

Ballarat Health Services and general practitioners also offer booster jabs.

Immunocompromised patients are also eligible to receive a Pfizer or Moderna third dose at least two months after their second vaccine.

Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisations this week updated the booster interval from six to five months from the primary two-jab course due to the likelihood of Omicron and Delta variant spreads.

There are three cases of the emerging COVID-19 Omicron variant in Victoria: a returned traveller from the Netherlands who is in hotel quarantine and two people who sat together in the same row on a flight from Dubai to Melbourne on November 30.

A third person who also sat in the row has tested positive for COVID-19 and genomic sequencing is underway to confirm the variant.

SEE THE FULL MAP FOR WHERE TO GET VACCINATIONS IN BALLARAT HERE

Bookings for UFS vaccinations can be made: www.ufs.com.au/ or by phone on 4320 0891.

To book a vaccine appointment for Ballarat Health Services' vaccination centre: https://portal.cvms.vic.gov.au/ or phone 1800 675 398 (selection options 1, 1, 1).

Our team of local journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the Ballarat community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: